Join Hands Operation with Active Steps

Huo Pu T'ui Shou

Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan

Taken from the book "Tai Chi Chuan - It's Effects and Practical Applications,"
edited by H. C. Chao, Page 165, 1981 Unitrade Company Ltd. Available from Tai
Chi Magazine.

First, I will expand on some of the details of the exercise, you should read
this as necessary. Then, the fundamental moves will be described. This will
be covered during the demonstration. Finally, I will describe one of three
techniques of changing the lead.

Wardoff

The wardoff starts in front and lower than in the 108. You accept the push
with a right press, your palm faces out. The push comes straight at your
chest. The hand rotates as it moves toward your chest. The index finger leads
the forearm around to the wardoff right. At completion the palm is facing
behind and over the right shoulder with the index finger pointing up. The
index finger should feel the arc from the press to the wardoff. In close
quarters, the index finger arc could pick an opponent's glasses off. After
the wardoff, the right hand makes a clockwise spin into the push while
maintaining contact. This final motion is a reflection of the final motion
of the left hand at the end of Single Whip. The left hand moves to push.

Push

The hand placement makes the push. The hands are at either end of the forearm
preventing an attack of elbow or hand. The following narrative describes the
ideal states. In practice, you learn in very tiny spirts over a long time.
Remember to keep the shoulders loose and the elbows down.

Position the hand over the elbow so that the funny bone is in the center of
the palm. Fingers are like tentacles, gently wrapped over the entire elbow,
not too tight and always sticky. The hand over the wrist such that the
protruding bone on the outside of the wrist is in the center of the palm.
The fingers gently are spread wide from thumb to little finger. You need less
strength to control the hand, but more sensitivity as the mind leads the
hands . . .

Before you push you must float backward and down like in the form.

Join Hands Operation with Active Steps

The following text is a rewrite of Chao's text. It describes the fundamental
movements of this exercise.

Two persons, White and Black, stand opposite each other, and each steps
forward with the right foot, Black assumes a relaxed stance with the right
arm horizontal in front of the body. White pushes Black's forearm with both
hands; simultaneously Black takes a right step backward half a step. When
Black is pushed, he lowers his body on his legs to neutralize the push
backward, Black moves backward half a step with his right foot. When Whites's
pushing force is nearly at an end, he steps forward with his left foot and
then steps forward with his right foot. After neutralizing White's push with
wardoff, White assumes the press posture, Black moves forward half a step
with his right foot and pushes White's right forearm with both hands. White
rotates his waist and lowers his body on his legs to neutralize the push
backward. Both perform press, wardoff and push repeatedly. Keep the moves
distinct. Stop when you feel tired or renegade dow.

The sequence of moves forms a vertical figure eight. The White's push goes
uphill, Blacks's wardoff is at the top shoulder high, Black's floats back and
down in neutralize. This sequence makes half of the figure eight.

What makes this exercise fun is the speed and floating nature of the moves.
It is quite unlike anything any other two person exercise except perhaps the
88.

The transition during push, an outside step

In this transition, you are being pushed on your right arm. You are doing a
right press with the left fingers at the middle of the forearm. Note that the
dow is coming at you floating up to the zenith of a vertical loop that is
shoulder high. There you will deflect it with a neutralize back and downward
into push. Your right foot steps outside the opponents right foot (to the
left) facing forward. This move pulls the opponent's left hand off your right
hand. The opponent, sensing that his left side is free, advances lead change
step and bring his left arm to the lead up from below at a 45-degree angle.
This advance is an attempt to break your rhythm.

Simultaneously, you step back with your right foot, your lead change step.
Your step is long and behind the left foot. Your dantian rotates clockwise as
the left arm comes up to the lead from below at a 45-degree angle, you
retreat from push to a block. This sequence is complementary to the
opponent's moves.

Instantaneously, you and your opponent's left arms make contact. Forming an x,
left outside forearm to left outside forearm, you withdraw your right hand
and allow the left arm to rotate to horizontal. You place the right fingers
on the left forearm and do press. The opponent shifts his hands to elbow and
wrist for push. Both of you now have left-handed arm and foot placement; both
of you are now at the middle of the figure eight with roles reversed. The
advance has been neutralized and neither side gains speed, position or timing.
You now return the looping exercise in a left handed form, you retreat and
the opponent advances.